Our Music

January 2011

Matthew Robins releases new album

Beguiling West-Country artist and musician Matthew Robins makes his first live album, recorded in front of a packed crowd of excited fans.

Matthew Robins has made his first live album, recorded this winter in the theatre of the
historic People Show Studios in East London, released on My Fay Records.

The album “Noah’s Ark - Matthew Robins live” has 18 original songs and stories by Matthew, drawing from his collection of home-made folklore and romantic science-fiction, the music slips easily from indie-orchestral to lounge-pop, combining klezmer-like jauntiness with haunting waltzes.

Having been performing his work both as an artist and as a musician across Europe for the past 7 years, with new shows being commissioned recently by the National Theatre and the Barbican, and performing at the Waterfront in Belfast, the Roundhouse in Camden, and both Tate Modern and Tate Britain, Matthew brings together key members of his regular band to collaborate on this recording.

Drawing on his celtic background, growing up in the remote Cornish countryside, and now living in a more urban tiny London flat, many of the songs on Noah’s Ark tell stories inspired by episodes in Matthew’s own life, such as his neighbour screaming daily death-threats at him and a local fox that leaves gifts on Matthew’s back-door step, to more imagined scenarios such as an awkward romance with the vampire Nosferatu.

The album reflects Matthew’s fascination with 1950s science fiction movies and film noir, the songs tinged with melancholy, boyhood longing and the nature of gentle obsessions.

Matthew and his band loosely improvise around each song’s structure, retaining a freshness and spontiniety in the performance, each musician’s varying influences and backgrounds juxtaposing to create intricate harmonies and arrangements, this album was recorded just prior to a three week Christmas run at London’s Barbican theatre.

Just as comfortable working alone as with other writers, Matthew has collaborated with the CILIP Carnegie Medal nominated author Viviane Schwarz on 4 tracks, as well as with Tim Spooner and Alexia Anastasiadis.

Noah’s Ark also features Hester Goodman, long-time member of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, singing backing vocals, as well as duetting with Matthew on The Wicker Cat, a song inspired by Hester’s wistful folk singing style.

The album art-work is also by Matthew, who as a graphic artist has recently made work for the Barbican, LIFT, Dumbworld, The Times and Attitude magazine, and he is currently getting ready for the release of his first children’s book. Noah’s Ark comes with a miniature graphic novel, featuring Sqonion, an alien - Matthew’s newest creation, a character recently featured in The Times.

With a collection of books and 45s and old VHS that take up most of his flat, Matthew is inspired by a broad range of musicians and artists from Tom Waits and Rickie Lee Jones to Belle & Sebastian and Eels, via Ethel Merman and Charles Trenet, as well as the 1970s comedy live albums of Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler and the story-telling of Garrison Keillor, Edward Gorey and Tim Burton.

Fans are encouraged to visit Matthew’s website, www.sadlucy.com, which provides everything you could need to know about Matthew. As well as finding art-work, videos and photos of live work and short films made by Matthew you can also buy hand-made books and badges, and sign up to the mailing list for news about upcoming gigs and future releases.
Fans can also “like” Matthew on Facebook, become a fan on myspace or keep up with news onhis blog, Things to Make and Do.

“charming, sometimes heartbreaking little stories” The Guardian

“simultaneosly homely, sinister and one of the most engaging live experiences you’ll encounter this year” Timeout

“sinister folk tunes from songwriter Matthew Robins that recall the soundtrack to The WickerMan” Evening Standard

Noah’s Ark is also available for download on iTunes and Amazon.

Rain Feelings 2009-Vivianne Viveur

Diary of a DNA-Adam Clark, Bliss, Matthew Robins, Vivianne Viveur

Vert 2008

Yarn
Waiting for the tide
Turuoise eyes
It's not my day
Valerie lake
Come back in a stormy day
A new play
Vanity mirror
Memoirs of a silhouette
Joyful
Never kind

The Art of Arranging flowers - Vivianne Viveur-2007

A night belongs to the flowers
Swansong
Venus
Doll
Angel grave
Virgin
Princess
Summer in hell
Verlaine
Elise and the bad moon
Trembling
The art of arranging flowers